Opera for Drama Tweens

Tuesday October 7th, 6:30-7:30pm Calvert Library, Fairview Branch

I Description Oh, the drama! Tweens, students from 5th-7th grade, are invited to our Opera for Drama Tweens event which will use hands-on activities to teach about fantastical plots, costumes, and characters. Each activity will explore a new element of opera and introduce musical concepts. No advanced preparation is needed and a snack will be provided. Registration is required. Mission Calvert Library provides people of all ages with lifelong learning opportunities and the resources they need for personal growth and development. Opera for Drama Tweens will not only encourage personal growth, but will encourage students and teachers to use library resources through partnerships to further arts education. Program Audience This program will be aimed at tweens who have an interest in all things creative and dramatic. Opera incorporates music, costumes, and visuals to show grand emotions. Inspired by Greek plays and mythology, opera is an exciting form of storytelling. Hands-on-activities and role-playing will be engaging. Tweens will benefit from this social and creative outlet. Necessity Within our rural community there is limited access to musical productions. Creative outlets are limited to schools, local non-profits, and movie theatres. Traveling to metropolitan areas is often cost prohibitive for families. The library helps by providing free musical and educational programs for families. Why not also expand this to include programs like Opera for Drama Tweens? It could also be expanded into a series of music themed events. Opera as an art form will benefit from our added attention. Due to economic reasons opera companies are folding. What is already deemed exclusive is becoming increasingly less accessible. Why not introduce opera in a manner that strips away perceptions of exclusivity and introduces opera to a new generation? Material Needs and Possibilities The majority of materials needed for this program are already found within the library. Music CDs, an iPod/speakers, activity guides, music education materials, printing materials, and access to interactive media on a screen or laptop. Example activities: Recyclables can be gathered to make dioramas depicting scenes from an opera. While listening to a scene, attendees can put to paper mental images evoked by the mood of a piecediscussion follows of how the music is used to further the story and emotion. Attendees can act out their own mini opera on an appropriate subject of their choosing using colorful and multicultural costume cutouts attached to wood sticksactivity includes a discussion of character archetypes. Using craft and paper materials, attendees make their own playbill or CD cover and imagine their name in lights. Program will also include an opera/multicultural themed snack. Potential Community and Library Partnerships and Resources Fairview is conveniently located next to a music academy. Often, siblings and families use the library in between lessons. It would be great to partner with the music academy. We also have a fantastic Teen Council which is a great resource for reaching out to local school groups, clubs, and teachers. There are additional cross-promotion opportunities with popular programs like the Open Mic Night. It would be exciting to display playbills from SLRCs collection. Intent This program proposal is deigned to be submitted, reviewed, and used as a model for an actual program. Hopefully, with hard work and support it will come to be.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 1, 2014

Opera for Drama Tweens

Tuesday October 7th, 6:30-7:30pm Calvert Library, Fairview Branch

Oh, the drama! Tweens, students from 5th-7th grade, are invited to our Opera for Drama Tweens event. Do you love hands-on activities? Do you love plots and intrigue? Are you looking for a creative outlet? Come to Calvert Library Fairview Branch on Tuesday, October 7th, at 6:30 pm. Music and theater enthusiasts welcome. Activities will include a bit of history, music, and role-playing. No advanced preparation is needed and a snack will be provided. Registration is required. For more information, call Kat Jolie at Calvert Library Fairview Branch at 410-257-2101.